The Web is buzzing with reports that Hines Ward, star wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers, spent part of his Saturday morning in handcuffs after being arrested in Atlanta for driving under the influence. The former Super Bowl MVP and reigning Dancing With the Stars champ was booked into the DeKalb County jail at 3:41 a.m. and charged with driving under the influence. A jail official said that he was released after posting bond.
According to Channel 11's news-exchange partners at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, an officer stopped Ward's Aston Martin after observing the car failing to stay in its lane and hitting the curb.
Officers said that Ward failed a field sobriety test and refused to take a Breathalyzer. Police said he told them that he was at a downtown club and had two drinks.
A witness who saw Ward at Oasis Good Time Emporium Gentleman's Club said the wide receiver "did not drink heavily, seemed disinterested and was only there from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m," according to TMZ.com. TMZ also talked with a waitress at the Buckhead Bottle Bar and Restaurant, who said that Ward had two drinks but did not look like he was drunk.
Looking like you're drunk and being drunk are two very different things. Hines, who was recently involved in a separate incident with police officers, may need to slow down a bit (pun intended) if he intends to keep his clean-cut image in the league. Drinking and driving is unacceptable, especially with all that he stands to lose if he is found guilty.
Hines insists that he is innocent and has apologized to fans. Time will reveal if indeed he was impaired and if he will make amends to his fans and, more important, himself.
Read more at WPXI.
In other news: GOP Candidates Back Off From Signing Pledge That Praises Slavery.